Wildfire Update: Watson Creek Fire 8/31/18
/Area map of the Watson Creek Fire. 58,092 Acres with 80% containment located 6 miiles west of Paisley Oregon.
Infrared Map Watson Creek Fire
CLICK FOR LARGER
Details
Watson Creek Fire, Closure Map for 8/29/18 (Inciweb) CLICK FOR LARGER
Chipping operations continue in the northern portion of the Watson Creek Fire to reduce the concentration of roadside slash left over from suppression operations. Crews are watching for hot spots outside the lines while working to mop up 100 feet or more in from the perimeter in all areas. Some stumps are still burning and isolated tree torching is visible in the interior portion of the fire.
A weak cold front continued to push through the region yesterday resulting in scattered clouds, gusty winds and slightly cooler temperatures. A minor warming and drying trend is expected today as the cold front exits to the east. Northwest to north winds may develop today with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
The Lakeview Estates neighborhood remains under a Level 2 evacuation notice. Areas previously at a Level 2 evacuation notice have been lowered to a Level 1.
The Fremont-Winema Forest emergency closure order for the Watson Creek Fire now allows access to some popular recreation sites in time for the Labor Day weekend.
The Gearhart Mountain Wilderness is open, as are Corral Creek, Clear Springs and Happy Camp Campgrounds, and the recreation sites at Fremont Point. The public is encouraged to check road closures online or by calling the fire information number as access to the sites may require a different route than planned.
The closure is formally referenced as Order Number 06-02-03-18-02-3 and can be seen in full at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/fremont-winema/alerts-notices.
Celebrate Labor Day by giving the Pacific Northwest a break from wildfire. Obey fire restrictions. Use campfire alternatives. Don’t drive or park on dry grass.
Fuels Involved
Timber, Brush, Heavy Logging Slash
Moderate density stands of mixed conifers containing significant dead material of all size classes. Surface fuels contain a significant heavy dead and down component from wide-spread insect mortality 10-20 years ago. Heavy dead fuels are a mix of standing and down material. Small, high elevation meadows are intermixed with timber fuels throughout the fire area.
Projected Incident Activity
12 hours: Moderate fire behavior with surface fire creeping and smoldering as firefighters continue to secure the perimeter. Interior pockets of unburned fuel will continue to actively burn with backing and isolated torching. Additionally the increase in acres is the result of interior burning.
24 hours: Minimal fire behavior along the perimeter with mostly creeping and smoldering. Interior unburned areas will still be active with backing and isolated torching.
48 hours: Minimal fire behavior along most of the perimeter with mostly creeping and smoldering. Interior unburned areas will still be active.
72 hours: Minimal fire behavior along most of the perimeter. Interior unburned areas will still be active.
Weather
Observed: A weak dry cold front continues to push through the region on Thursday afternoon resulting in scattered clouds, gusty winds and slightly cooler temperatures. Temperatures reached the upper 60s to upper 70s with low relative humidity in the 15-30% range. Winds were gusty and up to 25 mph over the highest peaks.
Forecasted: A minor warming and drying trend will be possible on Friday as a cold front exits to the east. Northwest to North winds will develop on Friday with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon. Easterly flow will develop Friday night leading to moderate to poor relative humidity recovery.
Klamath Falls News coverage of the 2018 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Excel Auto Body.
We at Excel Auto Body appreciate the brave men and women wildland firefighters that put themselves in harms way to protect our greatest treasures. Thank you for all that you.
Learn more about what Excel Auto Body can do for you at ExcelAutoBodyKF.com. "Your vehicle, our reputation."